A hiatal hernia occurs when the opening (hiatus) in your diaphragm (the muscle you use for breathing that separates your chest from your abdomen) does not close tightly enough. This allows your stomach, or food that should stay in your stomach, to reflux (come back up) into the lower end of your esophagus (the food tube from your mouth to your stomach). This exposes the cells in the lower part of your esophagus to your stomach’s hydrochloric acid. Since the cells of your esophagus are not designed to handle such acids, they become very irritated and you experience pain.

What You Can Do

Begin each day by drinking an 8 ounce glass of pure water. If you dislike just water, you may try flavoring it with the juice from one half of a fresh lemon or lime. After drinking the water, stand on a comfortable, carpeted area near a wall. Hold on, lift up on your toes, and then drop down on your heels. This makes your stomach act like a water balloon and pulls it down away from its hiatus (opening) in your diaphragm. Do this gently, but firmly, 5 or 6 times.

Try to eat smaller meals. Smaller to medium size meals place less strain on the opening or hiatus to your stomach.

Take a 5 to 10 minute walk after each meal. Sitting or lying down after eating places more stress on your upper stomach and lower esophagus.

Use aloe vera juice to help heal the irritated lining of the esophagus. You may take 1 tablespoon any time you feel any burning or irritation. One of the best aloe vera juices for internal use is the Aloe Complete that we use and sell.